AIBTM | June 19-21, 2012

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Show Floor Space to Increase at AIBTM

AIBTM = is four=20 months away, and already the event is increasing its exhibition=20 space to accommodate supplier demand.

“As we count down to AIBTM 2012 in June, we’re absolutely= =20 delighted with the demand we have had from both new and=20 returning exhibitors from all over the world,” said AIBTM=20 Project Director, Steve Knight. “Approximately 80% of exhibitors= =20 that are currently signed on are returning from last year. Of=20 those, 30% have significantly increased their floor space for 2012.&rdq= uo;

Following AIBTM’s success at the inaugural event in 2011,=20 one-third of returning exhibitors already booked for 2012 have=20 also expanded their floor space, including Hilton Worldwide,=20 Panama Tourism Authority, Meet Washington State,=20 Dominican Republic Tourism Board and EMBRATUR Brazilian Tourist=20 Board. In addition to those returning, more than 20% of the=20 current AIBTM show floor includes brand new exhibitors such as=20 Carlson Hotels, Detroit Metro CVB, LA Inc, Visit=20 Pittsburgh, Moroccan National Tourism Office, Palm Springs Desert Resor= ts CVA,=20 Yosemite Mariposa Tourism Bureau and TUI Event Management.

To see a full list of our exhibitors please visit our website for more information.

More G= roup Coordinators=20 Than Ever Before

=20 More than 55 Hosted Buyer Group Coordinators have=20 already committed to AIBTM 2012. To date, AIBTM has 25% more=20 Group Coordinators signed on than the final total for 2012, and=20 we're still in the pre-registration phase.

"Each=20 AIBTM exhibitor is eligible to apply to be a Group Coordinator.=20 The program empowers exhibitors to ensure that the prospects=20 they want to see are at AIBTM," said Elisabeth Shipman, AIBTM=20 Hosted Buyer Account Manager. "Group Coordinators receive=20 the same VIP treatment as Hosted Buyers. They have the=20 opportunity to meet face-to-face with top clients and enjoy=20 complimentary travel and accommodations when bringing a=20 qualified group of 10 or more."

AIBTM=20 Hosted Buyer Group Coordinators confirmed for AIBTM 2012, so=20 far, include key hoteliers such as Hilton, Hyatt,=20 InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), Marriott, Melia Hotels=20 International, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Sofitel Luxury=20 Hotels and Choice Hotels International. Major U.S. market=20 CVB's such as the New Orleans Convention and Visitors=20 Bureau, Meet Washington State and Visit=20 Orlando will also bring hosted buyers.

More=20 information about the Hosted Buyer Program can be found on
our=20 website.

Strate= gic Partnership=20 With PCMA Announced

Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE)= recently=20 announced a Strategic Partnership Agreement with the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA).

PCMA will support RTE's IBTM=20 exhibition portfolio and provide educational content at a series=20 of events in key markets, as well as contributing to RTE's=20 Global Hosted Buyer Program. For AIBTM, PCMA will support the=20 delivery of 500 qualified senior Hosted Buyers as well as=20 provide education and speakers, plus their signature "Executive= =20 Edge" program. For CIBTM in Beijing (12-14 September), PCMA will=20 also contribute to education and support the Certified Meeting=20 Planner accreditation (CMP). EIBTM 2012, taking place in=20 Barcelona, will also see PCMA deliver a CEO level conference=20 program.

"To work closely with PCMA as a=20 unique partner alongside our global portfolio of meeting events=20 on 5 continents is an exceptional opportunity. We know that the=20 IBTM education program is of critical importance to the industry=20 as it contributes to attendees careers, knowledge and learning,=20 at EIBTM this year we have over 100 sessions. With the input of=20 PCMA, considered the leading organization for superior and=20 innovative education, we believe that this influential=20 association and its members will add real tangible benefits to=20 all our stakeholders." Says Craig Moyes, Group Exhibition=20 Director for the global meetings portfolio of events Reed Travel=20 Exhibitions.

"The meetings and events world=20 becomes more global each day; our strategic partnership delivers=20 on the growing needs of our members and IBTM's attendee=20 educational desires," says Deborah Sexton, PCMA President and=20 CEO. "This partnership is a timely and relevant value-ad for our=20 members as they are exponentially increasing the number of=20 events they hold outside the US. Additionally for the IBTM=20 audience, PCMA will deliver the superior industry education that=20 provides additional ROI with their Hosted Buyer participation."

More= =20 Association Powerhouses in Favor of AIBTM

To coincide with AIBTM's stra= tegic=20 partnership with PCMA, which involves a "State of the Industry=20 Debate", AIBTM solidifies its involvement in the industry by=20 signing unique partnerships with SITE, ACTE and ICCA.

SITE will secure attendance from their top-level members as=20 Hosted Buyers at next year's show. The event also sees the SITE=20 Young leaders program, designed to build the next generation of=20 motivational leaders by providing education and networking=20 opportunities in a manner that will appeal directly to the=20 younger generation.

Additionally, ACTE (Association of Corporate Travel Executives) will=20 deliver an educational track of sessions pertinent to=20 face-to-face meetings in the context of business travel. They=20 will focus on how industry professionals can make the most of=20 face time and developing technology to best enhance the=20 corporate travel experience.

AIBTM = Voted Best=20 of=20 Show

AIBTM won first prize for the= 'Best of=20 Show' at the 2011 TSNN Event Excellence Award this past=20 November. The show was awarded first place based on a number of=20 criteria including outstanding event, productivity of show in=20 obtaining business objectives, entertainment, networking=20 opportunities available and awareness and implementation of a=20 sustainable actions.

Steve=20 Knight, AIBTM Project Director commented: "This is a big win for=20 us and we are so delighted to have been recognized so soon after=20 the launch of our event. It is recognition of the team and the=20 focus we placed for this to be a strategic event for the US=20 meetings industry. The show delivers individually qualified=20 Hosted Buyers and eligible Trade Buyers from the U.S. and around=20 the world. It is the only event of its kind this year to also be=20 independently audited so that all figures relating to the event=20 are verified for transparency."

The Trade Show News Network (TSNN)=20 is the world's leading online resource for the trade show,=20 exhibition and event industry since 1996. TSNN has also become=20 the leading news source for the trade show industry, with more=20 than 50,000 unique visitors a month.

Rachel Wimberly, Editor-in-chief,=20 Trade Show News Network commented: "TSNN, along with the rest of=20 the trade show industry, was very impressed that AIBTM was able=20 to snag the inaugural "Best of Show" award for a newly launched=20 event. It proves that AIBTM's debut caught people's=20 attention amongst a competitive group of award nominees."

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